-Caveat Lector- Masks 'no protection from SARS' By Australian Associated Press 04 Apr 2003
Surgical and cheap masks won't provide sure-fire protection against the deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), a health expert warned today. But they could slow the spread of the disease by limiting hand to face contact. "Surgical masks are designed to keep wounds sterile during surgery when a surgeon talks or coughs," Griffith University respiratory protection specialist Dr David Bromwich said. "They are not designed to protect the wearer." Dr Bromwich said the material used, and the fit of the masks, would offer almost no respiratory protection from airborne particles. But they could be helpful as a barrier that might stop people who've touched infected droplets of saliva, for example, from then touching their faces and becoming sick. Scientists have said the virus is spread by droplets, through coughing and sneezing. But the World Health Organisation now believes it may also be spread by the environment, such as by water or sewerage systems, not just by close personal contact. Dr Bromwich said concerned travellers should consider using a special toxic dust mask with a class P2 particulate filter, which sells for less than $10. But he warned even that would not provide 100 per cent protection. "There is no such thing as complete protection from viruses - or even chemicals for that matter," Dr Bromwich said. The warning comes as seven people in Australia, including a south-east Queenslander, wait for tests that will determine if they have SARS. Meanwhile, Queensland Health today gave a middle-aged woman the all-clear, after earlier believing she could have contracted the virus. "We can now confirm it's not SARS nor is it even remotely connected to SARS," she said, of the woman. The spokeswoman said the other south-east Queensland case involving a 21-year-old man was yet to be determined. "He has voluntarily confined himself to his home," she said. NSW has two suspected cases, with one in the Northern Territory and three in Victoria - a girl and her two young brothers who are visiting from Canada. http://www.thesundaymail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,6236401%255E421,00.html <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http://archive.jab.org/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http://archive.jab.org/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
